The 1996 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent
Democratic U.S. Senator
Tom Harkin
Thomas Richard Harkin (born November 19, 1939) is an American lawyer, author, and politician who served as a United States senator from Iowa from 1985 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously was the U.S. representative for Io ...
sought re-election to a third term in office, and he was challenged by U.S. Congressman
Jim Ross Lightfoot
James Ross Lightfoot (born September 27, 1938) is an American businessman-broadcaster who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa.
Early life
Lightfoot was born in the Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers ...
from
Iowa's 3rd congressional district
Iowa's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Iowa that covers its southwestern quadrant, which roughly consists of an area stretching from Des Moines to the borders with Nebraska and Missouri.
From 2013 t ...
. Lightfoot had won the
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
primary against two opponents, while Harkin had won his primary uncontested, so both moved on to the general election, where they engaged in a toughly fought campaign. Ultimately, Harkin was successful in his bid and defeated Lightfoot, albeit by the thinnest margin of his career.
Democratic primary
Candidates
*
Tom Harkin
Thomas Richard Harkin (born November 19, 1939) is an American lawyer, author, and politician who served as a United States senator from Iowa from 1985 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously was the U.S. representative for Io ...
, incumbent
United States Senator
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and powe ...
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
*
Jim Ross Lightfoot
James Ross Lightfoot (born September 27, 1938) is an American businessman-broadcaster who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa.
Early life
Lightfoot was born in the Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers ...
,
United States Representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
* Maggie Tinsman,
State Senator
* Steve Grubbs,
State Representative
Results
General election
Results
See also
*
1996 United States Senate elections
The 1996 United States Senate elections coincided with the presidential election of the same year, in which Democrat Bill Clinton was re-elected president.
Despite the re-election of Clinton and Gore, and despite Democrats picking up a net two ...
References
{{United States elections, 1996
Iowa
Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to th ...
1996
1996 Iowa elections